Since you cannot install a custom ROM to modernize the device, here is the "review" of using the stock software today:
The lack of custom software for the BlackBerry Priv is not due to a lack of interest from developers. Instead, it is the result of deliberate, heavy-duty security engineering by BlackBerry. 1. The Hardened Bootloader
The developers behind this project are well-known in the community. The primary architect of this ROM is a developer known online as , who has been reverse-engineering BlackBerry hardware for years. The project has also been improved upon by another developer, Guillaume T. (aka Guizmox) . Their work has been a true labor of love, requiring months of painstaking effort, advanced technical skills, and even personal financial investment to acquire rare prototype hardware. Blackberry Priv Custom Rom
However, for those who want to directly modify the Priv, "official" blackberry priv autoloader files released by BlackBerry are the only reliable method for restoring the device's software. These autoloaders are essentially factory images that can be used to flash the stock OS back onto the device, but they do not allow for the installation of a different operating system.
While a software-based secure boot exploit has been in development, it is not currently in a functional state for public release. Usability Limitations on Stock Firmware Since you cannot install a custom ROM to
The factory BlackBerry firmware is heavy and bogs down the hexacore Snapdragon 808 processor. You can safely remove performance-draining bloatware using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) on a computer, which does not require root access.
This method is delicate. If done incorrectly, you can "hard brick" the device. The Hardened Bootloader The developers behind this project
: BlackBerry designed the Priv with hardware-level security that prevents unsigned operating systems from booting.
Unlike devices from Google, OnePlus, or Xiaomi, there is no official command or authorized tool to unlock the Priv's bootloader.
If you are still holding onto this piece of hardware, breathing new life into it is possible, but it requires a specific approach. Here is everything you need to know about the Blackberry Priv Custom ROM situation.